A sexual predator who entered a woman’s home address and seriously sexually assaulted her has been sentenced to 16 years behind bars.
In July 2024, Dean Benjamin, 43, was walking the streets of Luton when he decided to gain entrance to an unknown property.
Whilst in the property, he orally raped and sexually assaulted a woman and also made attempts to rape her.
The victim managed to escape his hold and alert other members of the household for help.
Benjamin fled the property but was arrested shortly after.
He was found guilty of attempted rape, sexual assault by penetration and oral rape at Luton Crown Court in January.
On Friday (21 March), Benjamin, of no fixed address was sentenced to 16 years for oral rape, with a five-year extension.
He was also sentenced to 10 years for attempted rape and four years for sexual assault, all to run concurrently.
At the time of the incident, Benjamin was on licence as part of a 20-month sentence for indecent exposure.
Detective Constable Sabrina D’Amelio, from Bedfordshire Police’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) team, who investigated, said, “This was a predatory and calculated attack where he was looking for someone vulnerable. He knew exactly what he was doing when he gained access to the property.
“The victim in this case has showed enormous courage coming forward and speaking to officers immediately and throughout the case, to help ensure Benjamin was caught quickly and served justice.”
Detective Inspector Clare Gilbert, the senior investigating officer, added, “Women deserve to feel safe in their own homes and should not have to worry. Predators like Benjamin who act in this kind of appalling way will be relentlessly pursued by our officers and put where they deserve to be – behind bars.
“We take all reports of rape and sexual assault seriously, and it is never too late to report. We have several specially trained victim engagement officers who work closely with victims, supporting them throughout the investigation and justice process, as well helping them to move forward.”
